Official Languages committee  Generally, in departments, we would like departments to have access perhaps to specific funding for official language minority communities. When we are in competition in the broader scheme for regular programs, we have to have bureaucrats understand that there is an English-speak

Official Languages committee  The future is there. Absolutely, the future is there. The youth have that vision and we have to help them put it into effect.

Official Languages committee  I think our network would speak on behalf of the English-speaking community and say more resources are important, more money is important, but I think our network in our community would say let's do it smart and let's do it efficiently. For example ELAN, English Language Arts Ne

Official Languages committee  There is certainly higher employment, less underemployment, less poverty, and all of that, but the attribution of the programs to the success of this is very difficult. For us to start seeing successes, we believe that if we have a coordinated approach and we have collective act

Official Languages committee  You asked what the federal government could do. There are the specific programs, but there's also the notion in Quebec—we talked about it in the opening remarks—of an economic development plan for official language minority communities. In 2008 the QCGN, with major stakeholders,

Official Languages committee  We work on our relationship with our colleagues in Quebec, and I believe that what we have brought to the table over the years is a better understanding of how the English-speaking community can contribute to the economic prosperity of all Quebeckers. There's more work to be done

Official Languages committee  Having worked with the Commissioner of Official Languages for many years now, I believe the commissioner's office does a great job in putting forward the notion of a linguistic duality, of bilingualism. The commissioner has been very active throughout his mandate in the regions.

Official Languages committee  I'd like to make another point, if I may. Our community in Montreal has a very high level of immigrants, so that's another consideration in Montreal. There's a high proportion of blacks, and we know of lots of studies around young blacks in Montreal who are underemployed. We als

Official Languages committee  I think Stephen has stats. Generally, as well, our school system and our career guidance system need to ensure that English-speaking youth feel they have a future in Quebec and that they will be a part of Quebec. Of course one part is the job. But also, you have to feel that you

Official Languages committee  There is direct project funding available from the Quebec economic development program, $10.2 million over five years. That's of huge importance to our communities that can get projects. Many of the groups are working on projects as leverage with the provincial government or the

Official Languages committee  First I'd like to say that Stephen Thompson, the director of policy, will be helping with some statistics along the way and in our answers to you. Unemployment among youth and English-speaking Quebeckers generally is high. It's high not only in the regions; it's high in Montreal

Official Languages committee  Good morning, Mr. Chong, and members of the committee. It's a pleasure to be here. It's been a while since we've come and we're glad to assist you in your study around the economic situation of Canada's linguistic minority communities. For those of you new to the committee, th

Official Languages committee  One last thing. While we're scoping out for the large priorities, there is still a need to scope back in to see if there are initiatives in one or two or other of the departments that the departments could take on, on behalf of the English-speaking community for a five-year stret

Official Languages committee  I think if I just leave you with the example of health and social services, the work that has been done in the area of health is paramount to everyone in our community. Will it ever end? Will there ever be a need to disengage from that? Some of the consultations with the province

Official Languages committee  Our president asked me to answer this one. I think a blended approach in consultation is important so that everyone understands they have been consulted. In the English-speaking community over the past many years, the connection of consultation to the road map has not always bee